Look closely at the shear
Steel and maker guide
Edges, steels and makers, each linked to the models that state them. A model counts under an edge or a steel only when its own listing names it, and the list shows that wording as it is. A model whose listing names no steel or edge is not counted, so check the product page before you choose.
Edges
The edge is the shape ground into the cutting line. Makers name their own edges; the list under each one quotes the listing.
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Convex edge
A convex edge has a curved outer profile approaching the cutting line, rather than one flat bevel. It is a geometry term, not a material, and makers use variants such as semi-convex.
Glossary entry Convex edge guide
41 models
- Ichiro 16T Texturizing Scissors (Convex)
- Ichiro Ergo Apprentice Hair Cutting Scissor (Convex slice)
- Ichiro Ergo Apprentice Hair Thinning Scissors (Convex)
- Ichiro Kawa Z-Balance Hairdressing Scissor Set (Convex cutter)
- Ichiro Kawa Z-Balance Professional Cutting Scissors (Convex)
- Ichiro Kawa Z-Balance Swivel Thumb Scissors (Convex)
- Ichiro Matte Black Cutting Scissors (Convex)
- Ichiro Matte Black Hairdressing Scissor Set (Convex cutter)
- Ichiro Matte Black Master Set (Convex cutters)
- Ichiro Offset Cutting Scissors (Convex)
- Ichiro Rose Lefty Hair Cutting Scissors (Convex)
- Ichiro Sword Barber Scissors (Wide convex)
- Ichiro Tsurugi Barber Scissors (Convex)
- Joewell Classic PRO Hair Cutting & Thinning Scissor Set (PRO cutter: Convex Shape Blade; E-series thinner: Standard JOEWELL Blade)
- Joewell Classic PRO Hair Cutting Scissors (Convex Shape Blade)
- Joewell Ergo ZII Hair Cutting Scissors (Convex Shape Blade)
- Joewell LSF Lefty Barber Scissors (Convex shape blade)
- Joewell Supreme Convex Hair Scissors (Convex PRO)
- Joewell SZ Semi Hair Scissors (Convex Shape Blade)
- Juntetsu Classic Hair Cutting Scissors (Convex)
- Juntetsu Classic II Hair Cutting Scissors (Convex)
- Juntetsu KS Cutting Scissors (Convex)
- Juntetsu Premium Series: Cobalt Sword Scissors (Convex)
- Juntetsu Sword Professional Hair Cutting Shears (Convex)
- Juntetsu VG10 Ergo Barber Scissors (Convex)
- Juntetsu VG10 Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (Convex)
- Kamisori Sword Professional Haircutting Scissors (3D convex)
- Kasho Damascus Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (Hollow-ground convex)
- Kasho Design Master 15 Tooth Texturizing Scissors (Semi-convex)
- Kasho Design Master 38 Tooth Thinning Scissors (Semi-convex)
- Kasho Design Master Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (Semi-convex)
- Kasho Design Master Offset LEFTY Hair Scissors (Semi-convex)
- Kasho Design Master Straight Hair Cutting Scissors (Semi-convex)
- Kasho Green Semi-Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (Hollow-ground convex)
- Kasho Ivory Left Handed Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (Convex)
- Kasho Millennium Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (Convex)
- Kasho Silver Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (Hollow-ground convex)
- Mina Umi Hair Cutting Scissors (Convex)
- Yasaka 7.0 Inch Barber Cutting Scissors (Clam-shaped convex)
- Yasaka SL Hair Cutting Scissors (Clam-shaped convex)
- Yasaka Traditional Cutting Scissors (Clam-shaped convex)
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Bevelled edge
A bevelled edge is a cutting edge formed with a defined flat bevel approaching the cutting line. Some makers use their own wording, such as a flat single bevel, and keep it separate from their convex designs.
Glossary entry Convex, bevel and hollow edges compared
3 models
- Joewell Classic Hair Cutting & Thinning Scissor Set (Classic cutter: Standard JOEWELL Blade (flat single bevel); E-series thinner: Standard JOEWELL Blade)
- Joewell Classic Hair Cutting Scissors (Standard JOEWELL Blade (flat single bevel))
- Mina Classic II Hair Cutting Scissors (Micro-serrated bevel)
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Micro-serrated edge
Micro-serration is a fine pattern of small serrations along a cutter's edge that helps hold hair as the blades close. It is separate from the large teeth of a thinner.
3 models
- Ichiro Ergo Apprentice Hair Cutting Scissor (Micro-serrated)
- Joewell Classic Serrated Hair Cutting Scissors (Micro-serrated)
- Mina Classic II Hair Cutting Scissors (Micro-serrated bevel)
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Sword blade
A sword blade is a reinforced blade-body profile, usually with a raised outer ridge, in the ranges that use the term. It does not by itself establish the cutting-edge finish or the steel.
Glossary entry Sword, slim and leaf blade profiles
3 models
- Joewell FX PRO Hair Cutting Scissors (Sword & Flat Blade)
- Joewell FX-PRO 40 Thinning Scissors (Sword & Flat Blade)
- Joewell Supreme SPM Offset Hair Scissors (Sword & Flat Blade)
Steels
A steel name tells you the grade the maker states, not how the finished shear will cut. Read it beside the edge, the handle and the length.
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440C
440C is a stainless steel designation that some shear listings name as the blade material. It tells you which grade the maker states, not how the finished tool will cut or feel.
23 models
- Ichiro 16T Texturizing Scissors (440C)
- Ichiro Kawa Z-Balance Hairdressing Scissor Set (440C)
- Ichiro Kawa Z-Balance Professional Cutting Scissors (440C)
- Ichiro Kawa Z-Balance Swivel Thumb Scissors (440C)
- Ichiro Kawa Z-Balance Texturising Scissors (440C)
- Ichiro Matte Black Cutting Scissors (440C)
- Ichiro Matte Black Hairdressing Scissor Set (440C)
- Ichiro Matte Black Master Set (440C)
- Ichiro Matte Black Thinning Scissors (440C)
- Ichiro Offset Cutting Scissors (440C)
- Ichiro Rose Lefty Hair Cutting Scissors (440C)
- Ichiro Rose Lefty Hairdressing Scissor Set (440C)
- Ichiro Sword Barber Scissors (440C)
- Ichiro Tsurugi Barber Scissors (440C)
- Juntetsu Classic II Hair Cutting Scissors (440C)
- Juntetsu KS Cutting Scissors (440C)
- Mina Black Diamond Hairdressing Scissor Kit (SUS440C)
- Mina Sakura Double Swivel Hair Cutting Scissors (SUS440C)
- Mina Sakura Double Swivel Professional Scissors Set (SUS440C)
- Mina Sakura Double Swivel Thinning Scissors (SUS440C)
- Mina Sakura II Professional Scissors Set (SUS440C)
- Mina Umi Hair Cutting Scissors (SUS440C)
- Mina Umi Master 3 Piece Set (SUS440C)
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VG-10 and VG-10W
VG-10 and VG-10W are two separately named stainless steels on some shear listings, and the W is part of the stated material. Keep the full name when a model carries it.
14 models
- Juntetsu Classic Hair Cutting Scissors (VG10)
- Juntetsu Crystal Elite Classic Scissors (VG10)
- Juntetsu Crystal Elite Offset Hair Scissors (VG10)
- Juntetsu Crystal Elite Offset Professional Scissor Set (VG10)
- Juntetsu Crystal Elite Professional Thinning Scissors (VG10)
- Juntetsu VG10 Ergo Barber Scissors (VG10)
- Juntetsu VG10 Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (VG10)
- Juntetsu VG10 Offset Thinning Scissors (VG10)
- Kasho Damascus Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (VG-10W)
- Kasho Design Master Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (VG-10W)
- Kasho Design Master Offset LEFTY Hair Scissors (VG-10W)
- Kasho Design Master Straight Hair Cutting Scissors (VG-10W)
- Kasho Green Semi-Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (VG-10W)
- Kasho Ivory Left Handed Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (VG-10W)
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ATS-314
ATS-314, also written ATS314, is a steel designation that Yasaka describes as a cobalt stainless cutlery steel. It appears on several Japanese professional shears.
8 models
- Juntetsu Sword Professional Hair Cutting Shears (ATS314 cobalt stainless steel)
- Kamisori Sword Professional Haircutting Scissors (ATS314)
- Kasho Silver Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (ATS314 cobalt-containing steel)
- Yasaka 7.0 Inch Barber Cutting Scissors (ATS314 cobalt stainless steel)
- Yasaka SL Hair Cutting Scissors (ATS314 cobalt stainless steel)
- Yasaka Traditional Cutting Scissors (ATS314 cobalt stainless steel)
- Yasaka YS 6.0 Inch Hair Thinning Scissors (ATS314 cobalt stainless steel)
- Yasaka YS-30 6 Inch Hair Thinning Scissors (ATS314 cobalt stainless steel)
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Cobalt alloy
Cobalt is an element that makers mention in two different ways: a cobalt stainless steel, or a cobalt-base alloy that is a separate material. The word alone does not rank one shear over another.
Glossary entry Cobalt alloy guide
1 model
- Joewell Supreme Convex Hair Scissors (Cobalt Base Alloy CBA-1)
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Powder metal alloy
Powder metal describes how a material is produced, by forming it from powder, and it is a production term rather than a grade. Makers use their own names for the result, and a powder-polished finish is a different, surface-level claim.
Glossary entry Powder metal guide
1 model
- Joewell Supreme SPM Offset Hair Scissors (Powder Metal Alloy)
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SG2
1 model
- Kasho Millennium Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (SG2 sintered steel)
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Stainless steel and stainless alloy
Stainless steel is steel with roughly 12% chromium or more, which forms a thin chromium-rich surface film that resists corrosion. It is not rust-proof: chlorinated products, residue and damp storage can still mark it.
Glossary entry Stainless and carbon steel in hair shears
74 models
- Ichiro Ash Gold Hair Thinning Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Dragon Hair Cutting Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Dragon Professional Scissors Set (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Dragon Thinning Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Ergo Apprentice Hair Cutting Scissor (Japanese stainless alloy)
- Ichiro Ergo Apprentice Hair Thinning Scissors (Stainless alloy)
- Ichiro Ergo Slice & Serrated Hairdressing Scissor Set (Stainless alloy)
- Ichiro Master Series Professional Barber Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Offset 4 Piece Master Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Offset Master Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Pastel Pink Hair Cutting Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Pastel Pink Hairdressing Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Pastel Pink Master Set (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Precision Master Professional Hair Cutting Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Premium Series: Sakura Hair Cutting & Thinning Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Rose Gold Cutting Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Rose Gold Professional Scissors Set (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Rose Gold Scissor Master Set (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Rose Gold Sword Cutting Scissor (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Rose Gold Sword Master Set (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Rose Gold Sword Professional Scissors Set (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Rose Gold Thinning Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Ichiro Texture Master Professional Thinning Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Joewell Classic Hair Cutting & Thinning Scissor Set (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell Classic Hair Cutting Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell Classic PRO Hair Cutting & Thinning Scissor Set (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell Classic PRO Hair Cutting Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell E-40 Hairdressing Thinning Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell E30 Hairdressing Thinning Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell Ergo ZII Hair Cutting Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell FX Hair Cutting Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell FX LEFTY Hair Cutting Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell FX PRO Hair Cutting Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell FX-PRO 40 Thinning Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell HXG Professional Texturizing Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell JGC-12 Cut & Thinning Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell LSF Lefty Barber Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell SNT-40 Volume Control Thinning Scissors (Supreme Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell SZ Semi Hair Scissors (Stainless Alloy)
- Joewell X Offset Hair Scissors (Japanese stainless alloy)
- Juntetsu Aero-Pro Cobalt Haircutting Scissor (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Aero-Pro Cobalt Thinning Scissor (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Cobalt Aero-Pro Hairdressing Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Cobalt Apex Haircutting Scissor (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Cobalt Apex Hairdressing Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Cobalt Professional Texturising Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Cobalt Vertex Hairdressing Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Cobalt Vertex Slide Haircutting Scissor (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Hanami Professional Hair Cutting Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Mastersmith Cobalt 7.0" Cutting & Texturising Shear Set (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Mastersmith Cobalt 7.0" Cutting Shear (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Matte Black Offset Hair Cutting Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Matte Black Offset Professional Scissors Set (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Matte Black Offset Thinning Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Obsidian MIKURO EDGE Hair Cutting Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Rose Gold VG10 Pro Hair Cutting Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Sword Elite Cutting & Texturising Set (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Sword Professional Texturising Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Tsunami Elite Professional Hair Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Tsunami Elite Professional Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Juntetsu Tsunami Elite Texturising Shears (stainless-steel)
- Mina Black Diamond Cutting Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Mina Classic II Hair Cutting Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Mina Classic II Professional Scissors Set (Stainless steel)
- Mina Classic II Thinning Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Mina Jay II Thinning Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Mina Rainbow II Cutting Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Mina Rainbow II Hairdressing Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Mina Rainbow II Master Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Mina Rainbow II Thinning Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Mina Sakura II Master Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
- Mina Sakura II Thinning Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Mina Umi Hair Thinning Scissors (stainless-steel)
- Mina Umi Hairdressing Scissor Set (stainless-steel)
Makers
Each maker's profile explains the range in its own terms; the collection lists every model we carry from that maker.
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Ichiro
Compare Ichiro Ergo, Offset, Rose Lefty, Matte Black and Kawa by blade, hand, fixed or swivel thumb, and the actual selected components.
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Juntetsu
Compare Juntetsu cutters, thinners and sets by exact blade, handle, material and reach, including distinct Cobalt Sword and Sword Professional families.
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Mina
Compare Mina families by cutter edge, hand and selected contents, reading Classic II, Sakura II, Timeless, Matte Black, Black Diamond and Umi separately.
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Joewell
Compare Joewell Classic, PRO, Serrated, New Era and Bamboo cutters, their E-series pairs, dedicated left-hand builds and specialist models.
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Kamisori
Compare Kamisori model geometry, including Sword cutters in separate Right and Left sizes from 6.0 to 7.5 inches, and distinct texture/set roles.
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Yasaka
Compare Yasaka cutter and thinner constructions, including a fixed seven-inch barber cutter, two-piece pair and twenty three-piece kit combinations.
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Kasho
Compare Kasho hand, handle and material by model, then read the actual six-inch Design Master 15- and 38-tooth constructions.
Want two models side by side? The shear finder compares them field by field, and the glossary explains every term on a listing.